Ancestor Connections - Suomi/Sami woven bands.

Suomi Bands
Photo and bands by © Karen Wiederhold

In the last few months I've been teaching myself weaving of bands and created this first piece for my Dad for Father's Day - a bookmark. I've been connecting with my great- great-grandparents from Sweden, my great-great-great-grandparents who were from Sweden, Norway and Finland and my Suomi ancestors with traditional crafts, music and stories. 

While I've been quietly working on learning this skill I've been listening to Freyia Norling on YouTube. If you've not met her yet through her channel, please visit. Yarn crafting has been in my family for centuries on both my Father's and Mother's side (my Mother's side of the family tree is Scottish going back centuries with some Irish too - weavers, spinners and farmers). Yarn and a love of traditional craft is what draws and connects me easily and there is something magical as I work and feel the old connections coming through my hands. I will be making more bookmarks in the near future and may be offering some of them for purchase. Photo: front and back sides of bookmark.

Setting Intentions with Tarot - Yarncraft

Deck: Tarot by Running Press
Photograph ©️Karen Wiederhold

I'm creating today. Perfecting a skill I've been teaching myself recently. This is a great little deck by the way - i've had it a while and it is such a joy to read with and it's pocket sized too. 💛

Weaving

Woven Wall Hanging on a frame loom.
Photo by Karen Wiederhold

I completely forgot to share my finished piece of weaving - a wall hanging, first one made on a weaving frame. 

It was essentially a lot of fun and experimenting with different yarns and combinations and a lot of "I wonder what this would look like". 

I'm pleased with it and learned plenty in the process. Now to invest in some chunky and textured yarns and make another one. I'll post a pick of it hanging up as soon as I locate an appropriate branch.